MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, June 9, 2014

How is state Sen. John Moolenaar (R-Midland) going to counter against the significant personal resources Paul Mitchell is bringing to the open 4th District Congressional race? The first-term senator also gives his opinion on the future of putting a penny sales tax on the ballot for additional road funding, among other issues.

Also, the MIRS team gives its reaction to last week's Glamour-gate controversy. Could the Twitter posting of the three male lawmakers reading women's magazines make journalists' job harder on the House floor?

MIRS Monday, June 2, 2014

Michigan Republican Party Chair Bobby Schostak (19:18) and Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lon Johnson (8:20) talk Michigan politics at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's Mackinac Policy Conference in separate one-on-one interviews. Also, MIRS recaps the two most newsworthy events from the island -- Gov. Snyder being OK with a discussion on adding gays and lesbians to the Elliott Larsen Civil Right Act and three minutes Terri Lynn Land wishes she could have back.

First Land/Peters Event

The first event featuring both U.S. Senate candidates -- Democrat Gary Peters and Republican Terri Lynn Land -- took place at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference today. 

Miss it? Here's the audio of the candidates' speeches and Q&A as well as a scrum with Land afterward. 

Some helpful timestamps: 

0:00 Peters gives his opening remarks

7:30 Peters answers audience questions

28:30 Land gives opening remarks

39:45 Land answers audience questions

50:45 scrum with Land 

MIRS Monday, May 26, 2014

If Sen. John Pappageorge had not run in 13th state Senate District in 2006, would the Democrats had controlled both legislative chambers in the first part of Gov. Jennifer Granholm's second term? The argument can be made and Pappageorge, as this week's guest, is here to make it. He also talks about the Senate Majority Leader's road funding plan, among other issues in this Memorial Day weekend podcast.

MIRS Monday, May 19, 2014

Ed McNeil, the special assistant to the AFSCME Council 25 president, (4:49) says a "deal is a deal" when it comes to negotiating a "Grand Bargain" on the Detroit bankruptcy with arbitrators and why they're not interested in reopening talks with lawmakers. 

Gilda Jacobs of the Michigan League for Public Policy (12:53) expresses concern about the Speaker's $450 million road funding package. Does she support the Senate's minimum wage proposal or would she rather see Raise Michigan's $10.10 an hour drive go on the ballot?

Also, the MIRS team talks about the eventful 11th Congressional District Republican primary and more.

MIRS Monday, May 12, 2014

Gov. Rick Snyder, gubernatorial nominee Mark Schauer, U.S. Senate candidate Terri Land, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters. Which one is not on the official Detroit Chamber of Commerce's Mackinac Policy Conference agenda? Why not? The Chamber's Brad Williams explains this and many other details about the upcoming event, including more on the first time two of these candidates are scheduled to be in the same room together.

Also, which state House incumbent is most vulnerable in the August primary? How about in the Senate? This and much more on this edition of MIRS Monday.

MIRS Monday, May 5, 2014

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers and 8th Congressional candidate Mike Bishop hold their first press conference in Lansing today. Listen to: Bishop defend his allowance of a 2007 tax vote to happen as Senate Majority Leader (12:55), where Bishop stands on Obamacare (21:20), if Rogers believes Bishop's primary opponent would be an "embarrassment" in Congress (24:13), Rogers' view on isolationism in relation to foreign policy (24:55), Rogers say "the world is just about on fire" (29:09), Bishop on Medicaid expansion and the "pension tax" (31:08), Rogers on running for president (33:54), Bishop say he's not convinced McMillin is a conservative (35:50) and Rogers say he's disturbed by politicians who are "all about me" (37:19).

Also, are the Democrats and U.S. Rep. Gary Peters making a smart tactical decision by staying on women's issues in the U.S. Senate race against Terri Lynn Land?

MIRS Monday Podcast, April 28, 2014

U.S. Senate candidate Gary Peters talks about the Affordable Care Act at Saturday's Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) Jefferson Jackson Dinner. It was headlined by former President Bill Clinton. MIRS gathered a collection of memories about him from Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, Sen. Coleman Young II, Wayne County Executive Bob Ficano, Attorney General candidate Godfrey Dillard, Oakland County Commission candidate Phil Reid and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel.

Also, can House Speaker Jase Bolger's road plan get through in these next two months while the budget is being worked on? The Detroit settlement? EAA? Minimum wage? 

MIRS Monday, April 21, 2014

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer talks to supporters and the media after turning in his signatures to qualify for the August primary. Is he concerned about polls that still show Gov. Rick Snyder still leading him? Also, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson takes a position on the part-time legislature question, talks about why she didn't run for Congress and addresses the new law on independent expenditure disclosure that runs contrary to her own position.

MIRS Monday, April 14, 2014

Congressional hopeful Debbie Dingell talks about her philosophy in raising campaign money, among many other subjects in her first Lansing media availability as a candidate.

 

The MIRS team picks the most effective political TV ad to this point. Also, could Rep. Tom McMillin's candidacy in the 8th Congressional District put the district more in play for Democrats? And when will the Democrats turn the Affordable Care Act into a political positive?